Southern Sonoma Country Life

Big City Style, Small Town Chic - Bespoke Wydown Hotel Fits the Bill in Saint Helena

Once in a blue moon I make a dash over the border and out into the comparitively luxe-wonderland that is neighboring Napa County. 

Where Sonoma County is blessedly rustic, earthy and untamed, Napa Valley is a dramatic contrast in its wine country chic, all style, design, sunshine and sophistication, especially during this record, dry winter. 

All it took this time to pursuade a foray through that invisible fence line (separating Sonoma and Napa in my mind), was the notion of a spot of overnight rest and relaxation, a writer's getaway to potter around the valley and take pause in the serene surrounds of historic downtown Saint Helena's boutique Wydown Hotel.

I've walked by the 12-room Wydown on previous visits to Saint Helena since its opening in 2011 and had wondered at its understated, urban appeal in an area otherwise rich with lavish resorts and spa hotel experiences. 

Invited to explore further, I found my room for a mid-week overnight escape a pleasantly surprising oasis of space and tranquility (given the hotel's location on Main Street in the heart of downtown). Despite the fact that the majority of Napa Valley visitors do seem to flock to the pristine Northern most points of California State Route 29 (running through the heart of Saint Helena) for fine food and wine, accommodations in the center of the city of less than 6,000 permanent residents, are rare.

Most hotels and resorts require a drive into and out of town and if there's been any amount of wine tasting taking place during the day time hours (a reasonable assumption), the safe, lawful and sensible option for an optimal evening out in downtown Saint Helena, I believe, is to eliminate any need to get behind a steering wheel.  

Positioned at the North end of Main Street, the Wydown is minutes from all of sorts of boutique stores, coffee & chocolate shops, wine bars and restaurants that downtown has such an abundance of. 

My first impression was of a big-city-style, yet intimate bespoke hotel, with rooms that are twice the size of any I've stayed in when it comes to top tourist destinations, especially San Francisco and New York.   

Decor, bedding, bathroom, style and design books on the shelves in the bedside tables, were all very much to my liking.

Common areas were well thought-out and interesting. A fun place to stay solo, or I'd imagine on a couple's weekend or with a group of friends should you find yourself with reason to book a group of rooms for that homey-feel for a special event.

Little touches such as a succulent in the bathroom and black Heath ceramics as soap dish and bedside table catch-all, added to the subtle charm of this unique little hotel.

Complimentary (for guests) wine tasting for the road weary await - to the right of this photo, in a shared space with Materra Wines.

Owner Mark Hoffmeister took his inspiration for his bespoke hotel from a place close to his heart, beautiful, tree-lined Wydown Boulevard in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. With Mark's personal selection of furnishings and artwork that are meaningful to him as proud proprietor, the Wydown strikes a refreshing chord with visitors looking for a one-of-a-kind hotel experience.  

Though there are plentiful coffee making set-ups in the hotel common areas and in-room, coffee coupons (for fresh roasted) are redeemable across the road at the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company. This was my first time inside this particular coffee stop and I found it a haven of peaceful morning hospitality behind its somewhat subdued exterior.  

Coffee in hand, I enjoyed a walk through the side streets of Saint Helena, off the beaten track of Main Street's attractions and into the tree-lined, pleasant neighborhoods where the locals live. 

If I had the chance to linger longer than my late afternoon to next morning pit-stop, I'd have taken advantage of a free pass to enjoy the nearby Health Spa Napa Valley  

Spoiled for choice on a dining selection for a solo late supper, (just a couple of minutes walk away), Napa Valley cuisine inspired by the flavors of Central Mexico at La Condesa was just the ticket for an out-of-the-box, delicious wine country dining experience in an equally sleek, yet stylishly eclectic downtown hotspot. Read more about La Condesa in my next post.

Parking at the Wydown was covered and free - always a bonus. Though room prices are considerably more competitive than most of the sky-high properties throughout the valley, the Wydown does have more than a few enticing package suggestions for those with big ideas for an extra special wine country experience.     

The Wydown Hotel is located at 1424 Main Street, Saint Helena. The city's all-volunteer fire station is fairly close by, so don't be surprised by the occasional call to community firefighters, via the station's distinctive alarm system. I was warned by front desk staff on check-in and took note of a couple of calls late afternoon, though I didn't hear one after lights out and slept soundly throughout the night of my stay.

 Call the hotel at 707 963 5100 for specials, or more info or email stay@wydownhotel.com.  

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.                          

Back Roads to Bounty - Fresh Incentive for a Drive to Novato, Marin Co - Cooper's Public Market

Grey skies were a portent to long awaited rain sprinkles during recent backroad meanderings across the border into Marin County. 

Some of the region's most understated, though spectacular scenery welcomes passersby out on D Street out of Petaluma as it turns into Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.  If you have the time, this is the best approach for neighboring Novato, especially while the 101 freeway at the snarled intersection of the two counties remains under re-construction.

Take a left on Novato Boulevard before the Cheese Factory, about 10 miles out along Point Reyes/Petaluma Road, past Stafford Lake into Novato and keep going until you see signs for downtown.  With light traffic, you'll be in downtown Novato in 25 minutes or less. 

Newly launched Cooper's Public Market is well worth a visit. Located in downtown Novato's Grant Avenue, close to Rustic Bakery (home of one of my favorite raisin scones), Novato native Dennis Cooper's enterprise brings the bounty of backyard farmshops to one central location. Sourcing meat, cheese, eggs, produce, dairy goods and other organic products within a 25-30 mile radius, Dennis's idea is to simplify our quest for all-organic in one-stop-shopping.

Thanks to a tip from my friend Deb, I stopped in to check it out and will make a point to retrace my steps in a couple of weeks, once the store is fully stocked. I liked what I saw, amongst familiar Clover and Cow Girl Creamery products, other fairly local organics (such as Devil's Gulch Ranch meats) that are harder to source across the county line.

One coming-soon option for ready-to-go complete ingredients for organic meals is a great idea. 

If you're traveling from Sonoma County to Cooper's Public Market, I'd suggest you bring a cooler, with ice. Handmade, organic, old-fashioned ice cream cakes, tubs and individual servings from Marin County based Silbermann's  might be too hard to resist.

 

 

Cooper's Public Market is open Monday through Saturday 9 am to 7 pm and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm. 1425 Grant Ave, Novato, 94945. Tel:415/895-1780

I'd spotted the fading sign on this beautiful old barn on my way into town and thought it fitting to snap a photo of it en-route back to Petaluma.

 

 

Time for Tea? A Surprise Find in Japantown

Should you find yourself in Japan Town one rainy day, suffering an unexplicable craving for a spot of proper British afternoon tea, Crown and Crumpet Tea Salon would likely prove just the spot to prop up your wet umbrella and pull up a chair. 

Rain? I hear you ask. In Northern California? The one wet, dark and dreary Friday this winter that we did experience a winter shower in the San Francisco Bay Area found me amongst a handful of equally wide-eyed wine country women wondering if we'd fallen down the rabbit hole.

I'd heard a lot of good things of the original Crown and Crumpet (in its former locale in Ghirardelli Square), its appealing shabby chic, Cath Kidston fabrics and style approach with tasty tea sandwiches, scones and bite-sized treats. A modern British tea. But this seemed a peculiar spot in the city in which to relocate.

Housed in the the New People Arts and Entertainment Building in Japantown, it felt, at first, so completely out of place that there had to be a story behind it.

Turns out Japanese/American pop/youth culture loves a spot of contemporary afternoon tea, British-style, as much as I do. Crown and Crumpet's tea theme even carries through into some of the intriguing fashions in the multi-level super sleek buildings various boutiques. 

Next stop for Crown and Crumpet? Quite possibly Japan.  

Servers were knowledgeable and friendly. Once we'd adjusted to our prime positioning in the busy thoroughfare of the building's foyer, we forgot the oddity of it all and enjoyed more than a few refills of the proverbial tea pots. And having sampled some lack lustre afternoon teas in city hotels over the years, I'd say the spread at Crown and Crumpet was pretty decent. Highlight, a mountainous gluten free tea spread for one that had the entire table enthralled. 

Rock Star Cheese Makers, Tours, Bubbles & Seminars Galore at 8th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival March 21-23 2014

"Gromit, that's it! Cheese! We'll go somewhere where there's cheese!"

Wallace and Gromit, A Grand Day Out

Calling all fans of the fromage - Tickets are currently on sale for the upcoming Petaluma-based 8th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival. One of the leading events now in today's artisan food scene in the United States, tickets sell out each and every year. There's a lot to do during the festival's three day run, so take a few minutes to read through the line up and figure out which highlights might be for you. 

Friday, March 21st, Various Locations:

MORNING SESSION – 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Behind-the-Scenes Cheese Country Farm Tours & Lunches

One of the most popular and coveted of events,  intimate Farm Tours are held at various local farms and creameries, giving visitors a glimpse into the important role of the farmer and where cheese gets its start. Guests taste the differences between cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s and even water buffalo’s milk cheeses, tour area farms, watch cheese being made and learn about how an animal’s diet affects a cheese’s flavor.  Lunch and transportation by Pure Luxury Transportation to and from the Sheraton are included.  

This year’s tours are as follows:

Farm Tour A Already **SOLD OUT** – The Fork Meets the Spoon(bar)  –  Nicasio Valley Cheese Company; Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. and lunch at The Fork with Chef Louis Maldonado of Spoonbar; Heidrun Meadery; Beehive Cheese Co.

 

Farm Tour D **SOLD OUT** – Goats, Sheep & ZaZu, Oh MY!  —  Bleating Heart Cheese; Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery; ZaZu Kitchen & Farm; Bohemian Creamery

There is no better way to start the day than with a  scenic drive through western Sonoma and northern Marin counties.  Your first stop will be to visit Seana Doughty of Bleating Heart Cheese.  In 2009 Seana bought ten pregnant ewes from a sheep dairy in Wisconsin and drove them to California as the start of her flock.  Hear about Seana’s adventures as you tour her brand new creamery built to meet the ever increasing demand for her cheeses.  Continuing through Tomales, Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Cheese is next on the agenda where you’ll meet their beloved goats and sheep!  We will visit the newly opened creamery and taste their amazing farmstead goat and mixed milk cheeses.  Heading north to Sebastopol we make a lunch stop at the “new” ZaZu Kitchen & Farm at The Barlow.  Owners/chefs Duskie Estes and John Stewart are “farm-to-table” specialists and long-time supporters of the California artisan cheese movement. This dynamic duo will serve up a cheese-centric lunch in their always delightful New American-Northern Italian style. The menu will be paired with some of California’s best wines and/or beers.  For your final stop of the day we drive just one mile from Sebastopol to a hilltop overlooking the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mayacama Mountains.  Here you’ll meet Lisa Gottreich at the Bohemian Creamery and her herd of Alpine dairy goats.  Find out why she decided to break out of her midlife mold and fill new ones with innovative and compelling curds. You’ll have the opportunity to taste a variety of Italian-style cheeses!  You won’t want to miss this tour!  $135.00 per person.

Farm Tour E – Petaluma Passionate and Perfect  –  Achadinha Cheese Company; Marin French Cheese Company; Weirauch Farm & Creamery; Lagunitas Brewing Company

This culinary adventure proves that perfection exists in our own “back pasture”! Your first stop on this delightful tour will be at Jim and Donna Pacheco’s ranch and family run Achadinha Cheese Company. We will taste their goat and mixed milk cheeses that have received extensive media attention. Next stop, the award winning  Marin French Cheese Company to meet the cheese makers who will walk us through the cheese making process and give us a special presentation of their recently renovated creamery followed by a tasting of their landmark cheeses. Our last farmstead visit will be at the beautiful Weirauch Farm & Creamery. Joel and Carleen Weirauch have been slowly developing their flock of dairy sheep since 2004. Their recognized expertise in making artisan organic cow and farmstead sheep cheese is matched by their commitment to sustainable agriculture, expressed on every level of farming  – rotational pasture management, green building, water re-use from the creamery for irrigation, and integrative solar. Lunch will be at the always fun, always delicious Lagunitas Brewing Company. Tour the brewery, taste some of their world renown beers and enjoy a wonderful cheese focused lunch, served on the patio and matched with those amazing, award winning Lagunitas microbrews!  $135.00 per person

EVENING SESSION – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Meet the Cheesemakers and Their Cheeses, Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma

This year, organizers are giving you the opportunity to warm up your taste buds for the weekend’s events and go elbow to elbow with top cheesemakers. Join cheesemakers and farmers at this intimate and informal experience where you can meet the cheesemaker masterminds themselves and fulfill those cheesy cravings by sampling their latest and greatest.  Artisan wines, beers and ciders will also be sampled.   $35.00 per person.

Saturday, March 22nd, Sheraton Petaluma:

Seminars, Cheesemaking Classes, Cooking and Pairing Demonstrations

Join local industry experts, chefs and cheesemakers for a variety of interactive seminars and demos throughout the day at the Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma. Seminars include lunch. Cheesemaking classes are $95, all others are $65. The seminar schedule is as follows:
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Morning Session
1:30 p.m. –  3:30 p.m.  Afternoon Session

MORNING SESSION – 9:30am to 11:30am

Seminar No. 1:  What’s Up with That Rind?
Presenter: Janet Fletcher, Food Writer & Educator

Cheese rinds tell a story—a tale of local microflora, culture, cellar handling and cheesemaker vision. In this seminar, San Francisco Chronicle cheese columnist Janet Fletcher leads participants on a guided tour of the rind kingdom. You will taste cheeses with a wide variety of rinds, learn how the rinds developed and what they tell you. The seminar will explore the difficult decisions cheese makers face when transforming milk into cheese; one of the key decisions being the type of rind they choose for their cheese. The presence or absence of a rind, and the type of rind, has a major influence on how the cheese will develop.  This class includes Sampling.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 2:  MELT!
Presenter: Laura Werlin, Author & Educator

When you think of the words gooey, messy, and delicious, the words “melted cheese” can’t be far behind. In this seminar, these words will be front and center as melted cheese aficionado and author Laura Werlin takes you on a gustatory journey of cheesy goodness and wine pairing. You’ll taste grilled cheese, mac & cheese, and of course, cheese all on its own, along with specially selected wines chosen by Laura to go with each cheesy bite. As fun as this is, it’s also a great opportunity to learn about new cheeses and taste some new recipes for old-fashioned favorites.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 3:  Terroir de Sonoma: Exploring the Unique Flavors and Attitudes of Sonoma Beer and Cheese
Presenters:  Rich Higgins, Master Cicerone, Brewmaster and Consultant a la Biere; Michael Landis, American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional, Training & Merchandising Manager at  Gourmet Foods International

Terroir is the French term for how a food or beverage expresses a sense of place. Often used in reference to wine, terroir can be expressed by craft beer as well. Sonoma County is rich in agriculture, micro climates, and character, and its breweries and dairies embrace Sonoma’s local flavors, ingredients, and attitudes. Join Master Cicerone Rich Higgins and Certified Cheese Professional Michael Landis as they delve into delicious beer and cheese pairings that illustrate the concept of terroir. Together you will taste and celebrate the flavors and uniqueness of Sonoma County.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 4:  Cheese Making – Italian Style
Presenter:  Bob Peak, Co-Owner, The Beverage People

In this hands-on session learn how to make mozzarella at home.  If you’ve experienced the refined taste and texture of freshly made mozzarella, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to recreate in your own kitchen.  Presented by avid home cheese makers from The Beverage People in Santa Rosa – a retailer of cultures, molds, tools and all supplies for home cheese making – the class will begin with whole milk, show production and stretching of mozzarella curds, and finish with cheese for sampling.  You will learn about milk, curd formation, separating curds from whey, and finishing the cheese.  After class, you will have the know-how to wow your family and friends with this subtle, elegant and iconic Italian cheese!  $95.00 per person.

Seminar No. 5:  Historic Cider and Honest Cheese
Presenter:  Sheana Davis, Chef, Cheese Maker, Educator, Owner, The Epicurean Connection

Sonoma County’s long history of apple and dairy farming inspired this fun and enlightening seminar and tasting.  Sheana will introduce your palate to a wide range of regional craft cider styles that pair perfectly with our superlative artisan cheese.  The same rolling green hills that are home to our cows, sheep and goats are crowned with regional iconic apple orchards – proving once again that “what grows together, goes together”!  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 6:  Spicing it Up
Presenters: Gianaclis Caldwell, Author and Owner of Pholia Farm

For many, cheese is a blank canvas for expressing a more colorful palette, one that also pleases the epicurean palate. Through the thoughtful introduction of other ingredients and treatments, cheese’s natural flavor can be expanded upon and enhanced. In this session you’ll learn the secrets of adding flavors to cheese including infusions, smoking, marinating, and adding seeds and herbs. The class will include a tasting of several examples of delicious flavor-added cheeses.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 7:  A Cheese History of the World
Presenter: Judy Creighton, American Cheese Society, Certified Cheese Professional

Deepen your appreciation of today’s artisan cheeses by learning the history that led up to them! Take a tour through time by tasting a selection of bloomy, washed-rind, tome, alpine, grana, and blue cheeses specially chosen from a selection of milks and terroirs. We’ll explore how cheeses developed and became specialized through historical events by tasting eight cheeses from past ages to today’s extraordinary artisans. We’ll also learn how cheese adapted to and created cultural diversity while developing enormous varieties of styles and flavors. This session is presented by a Certified Cheese Professional who loves both cheese and history!

AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Seminar No. 8:  California’s Artisan Foods Throw-down – Counties Battle for Bragging Rights!
Presenter:  California’s Rock Star Artisan Cheesemakers

 

California’s best cheese making regions are also home to stellar, award winning, non-dairyartisan products.  Wine, beer, cider, premium proteins, condiments created from vibrant local artisan producers…the list is unending, the quality, legend.  Get up close and personal with your favorite cheese makers as they introduce you to the tastes and stories behind their own nominees – their culinary compadres who make THEIR region dominate.  Of course, you will be tasting their cheese alongside these artisan foods and beverages, so expect a delicious, passionate clash.  You get to vote for the region that will be crowned Ultimate Culinary Throw-down Champion!  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 9:  Explore Pinots and Their Cheese Companions
Presenter: Laura Werlin, Author & Educator; Tim Gaiser, Master Sommelier

In wine-speak, when you see the word “pinot,” you probably think of Pinot Noir. But there’s more to the pinot world than that. Join Cheese Author and Enthusiast Laura Werlin and extraordinary Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser as they take you on a cheese and pinot pairing journey. You’ll taste pinots in the form of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir, and all will be matched up with mind-blowing cheese companions. After this, you’ll likely never look at the word “pinot” the same way again.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 10:  Cheese & Beer: Strategies for Harmony
Presenter: Janet Fletcher, Food Writer & Educator

You can take a random walk down the beer aisle to find brews for your favorite cheeses, or you can boost your success rate with a strategy. Join Janet Fletcher, author of Cheese & Beer, in this guided tasting of seven styles of cheese with the beers that love them. You’ll learn what cheeses to pair with malty stouts, hoppy ales, strong Belgian-style beers, trendy sour ales and more. With these insights into the harmony of curds and suds, you’re primed for a lifetime of pleasure. This is a skill-building session. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the affinities between beer and cheese and how to make pleasing matches.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 11:  Make Moldy Cheese with The San Francisco Milk Maid
Presenter: Louella Hill, The San Francisco Milk Maid

Ready to prove your cheese infatuation? On the brink of a family cow? Want to jump past the usual, more introductory cheesemaking lessons for ricotta and quick mozzarella? If so, this ‘cheese-lovers’ cheesemaking class is for you. In it, we’ll make our own truly moldy, truly delicious wheels of Stilton-style blue cheese. Under the guidance of cheesemaker Louella Hill (SF Milk Maid), learn which cultures to use, why blue cheeses differ from one another and finally, how to transform fresh milk into something aged and complex. All participants will take home a mini wheel of cheese for several weeks of ‘home affiange. Participants will be encouraged to post their aging adventures via The CA Artisan Cheese Festival Facebook page, allowing others to follow and comment on the process as well. $95.00 per person

Seminar No. 12:  The Perfect Bite – Food and Beer Pairing
Presenters:  Sarah Dvorak, Founder/Co-Owner, Mission Cheese (San Francisco) and Cheese Missionary; Oliver Dameron, Co-Owner, Mission Cheese and Certified Cicerone

Beer and cheese have a long and illustrious past. Belgium monks found the two to be a natural pair, and we couldn’t agree more.  The artisan productions of both cheese and beer are experiencing and inspiring renaissance in the United States – and lucky for us, California is at the forefront of the movement crafting remarkable examples of both.  Join Mission Cheese founders, Oliver Dameron and Sarah Dvorak for a dynamic session of beer and cheese pairing philosophies.  Then put your palate to work.  We will pair four beers and four California cheeses and layer on some accoutrement for the perfect bite.  Experience the synergism and magic of the dynamic duo – the beer and the cheese, the Sarah and the Oliver!  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 13:  Beautiful Bubbles and Artisan Jewels
Presenter:  Colette Hatch, Madame de Fromage, Oliver’s Markets

What is more indulgent and elegant that the pairing of a California sparkling wine and a brilliant artisan cheese?  This seminar is more that just hedonistic imbibing.  Respected food and wine expert Colette Hatch, aka Madame de Fromage, will discuss each cheese’s cultivation, history and flavor characteristics as well as make suggestions for pairing with the best of California’s bubblies and give you the opportunity to try those pairings for yourself.  $65.00 per person.

Seminar No. 14:  Basics and Classics, Always the Best
Presenter: Gianaclis Caldwell, Author and Owner of Pholia Farm

Some of the easiest cheeses to make are also the most versatile and delicious. In this session you will learn how to quickly whip up ricotta, Paneer, and mascarpone. While these classics may seem very different, they are all in the same family and can be mastered easily and ready to use quickly. You will also learn how to use some novel ingredients to make the ricotta, how to fry and freeze paneer, and why mascarpone might just be “the new butter.”   $65.00 per person.

EVENING SESSION – 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Grand Cheese Tasting and Best in Cheese Competition 

This popular roaming feast showcases top local Bay Area chefs using artisan cheeses in a variety of dishes from sweet to savory. More than 20 top restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries and will vie for your affection to will cast your vote for them at this lighthearted competition of all things cheese.  From soufflés to sandwiches, guests can expect to experience artisan cheese in ways they’ve never had before at this gastronomic showdown. $75 per person.

Sunday, March 23rd:

9:30 am -12:00pm

Bubbles and Brunch + Surprise Celebrity Guest Chef

The early riser gets a delicious brunch, some light hearted entertainment and advance entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace. Enjoy a Sunday brunch celebrating cheese at every course while being entertained with a live cooking demonstration. Tickets include brunch, sparkling wine and coveted early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11:00 a.m. before it opens to the public at 12:00 p.m.  $115 per person.

 12:00pm – 4:00 pm         

Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace

In this exposition for the senses, the Artisan Marketplace brings together more than 75 artisan cheese and food producers, winemakers, brewers and chefs who will sample their hand-crafted cheeses, delectable products that complement cheese, boutique wines and artisan-brewed beers.  Discover the next wave of interesting cheese products, books and recipes. Cooking demonstrations with top Wine Country chefs will also take place throughout the event and every guest brings home a coveted Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag as well as a festive wine glass.  $45 per person, $20 for children 12 and under.

Tales of the City Author Armistead Maupin Brings His New Novel The Days of Anna Madrigal To SoCo Tues, Jan 21st, 7pm

 

My sister-in-law Maria left me her set of the first three or four of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series when she moved back to the UK from California, over a decade ago.

The prolific former newspaper and Associated Press reporter, turned International best selling San Francisco-based novelist visits Copperfields Petaluma with the latest addition to his earlier, iconic series of six, on Tuesday evening, January 21st, 2014 at 7pm. 

The Days of Anna Madrigal, the transgender landlady of 28 Barbary Lane, is, as re-introduced on the author's interactive website: "known around the world as one of modern literature's most unforgettable and enduring characters".

"Now a fragile ninety-two and committed to the notion of "leaving like a lady," Anna has seemingly found peace in the bosom of her logical family in San Francisco: her devoted young caretaker Jake Greenleaf, who's hard at work on a secret art project: her former tenant Brian Hawkins, now unexpectedly remarried at 67; Brian's daughter Shawna, a single woman who wants to be pregnant, and, of course, Michael Tolliver and Mary Ann Singleton, both of whom have known and loved Anna for over thirty-five years."

Tales of the City fans may expect to be brought right up to date with more than a reference to Burning Man, the art community in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada where 60,000 revelers build a temporary city, each fall, as well as an epic RV road trip journey east from San Francisco into the "dusty troubled heart" of Anna's Depression childhood.

Taking a look through the fascinating timeline on Armistead Maupin's website, it would appear that there has been a 14 year interval between the last published More Tales of The City and the return to 28 Barbary Lane. Clearly a lot to catch up on.  Check out all the key locations in the Tales on an interactive, online map. 

The author penned his first Tales of the City stories back in 1974, initially as a series in the San Francisco edition of Marin County's Pacific Sun short-lived due to the newspaper axing its city issues soon after. 

Tales of the City was first published as a novel in 1978, followed by a series of 'further' tales in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1981. In 1994, a first in a series of three tv miniseries (featuring Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney) aired to record audiences on PBS, followed much later by a 2009 Tales of the City Musical (which I saw live at A.C.T. SF).

A Bay Area living legend, Armistead Maupin wrote the original dialogue for San Francisco's “Beach Blanket Babylon,” the longest-running musical revue in theatrical history.

Now in his seventh decade, the author was born in 1944 in Washington D.C., grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and served as a naval officer in the Mediterranean and with the River Patrol Force in Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

Top Notch Southern Inspired Breakfasts and Lunch at Topsy's Kitchen

What you're seeing here is one in the very first of a batch of soft, sticky cinnamon rolls to roll out fresh from the oven in all its gooey glory, at Petaluma's newest breakfast and lunch hotspot, Topsy's Kitchen, 131 Kentucky Street. 

Such irresistible extras gleaned from a scintillating Southern inspired breakfast menu were divvied up during a brunch for four that left us wanting only to return someday soon to taste test all the sides we weren't quite able to squeeze in.

Southern girl was unable to resist a breakfast bowl with fresh, seasonal veggies and a poached egg over grits.  

 Ms Midwest hit the jackpot with her wild card selection of a delicious asparagus and mushrooms melt. 

 Health-Kick Brit Chick opted for another of the breakfast bowl options, this one featuring Quinoa at the base, with roasted, shredded brussels, seasonal veg and poached egg on top.

My seasonal veggie scramble, vibrant and flavorful was counterbalanced with a side of crispy bacon.

Chef Annie Simmons and owner, Petaluma native, Estelle 'Tospy' Rand launched Topsy's just before Christmas. Their newly refurbished, 'hip and homey' restaurant space formerly housed Avatar's Punjabi Burrito and prior to that, from 1989 to 2010 long-time popular Aram's Cafe, which served some of the best Mediterranean food in the North Bay. 

Having walked by several times in the past couple of weeks, I've found the restaurant's fairly plain exterior (due to its specific architecture) just a little deceiving. You really do need to walk in, take a seat and drink in Topsy's subtle surrounds to fully appreciate what a pleasant place this is for a leisurely breakfast, brunch or lunch at a table set with a classy, crisp white cloth over pale grey linen complimenting a coordinated color scheme and simple wall decor. Pale yellow chairs somehow do say Topsy to me, a morning color, egg-like. Altogether, cheerful in a low-key way. And I do like the crates of cookbooks in the front, too. 

Given the competition in downtown Petaluma for great continental and California cuisine for the morning hours, Topsy's has joined the breakfast/lunch scene with something subtle, fresh and original - a great new addition to Southern Sonoma County stand-outs. Brunch, with an espresso drink priced at around $15 each with tip. 

Service was outstanding. Not surprising. Owner Estelle managed front of house for Central Market for many years. Chef Annie is a renowned Ramekins Cooking School instructor whose skills and expertise in the creation of an inspired menu speaks volumes in a brand new eaterie.

Try it for yourself. Don't miss out on the warm, puffy, New Orleans style beignets, which I regret not ordering to top off the day! Currently open 8 am to 3 pm Tuesday to Sunday.  

Beauty and The Beast - Community Art Show Opens Jan 25th, 2014

Downtown Petaluma's Heebe  Jeebe  and The Back House Gallery present "Beauty and the Beast" an invitational group art exhibit, opening Saturday, Jan 25th, 2014.

A (multi) Artists Opening Reception featuring entertaining and unexpected interpretations of the Beauty and the Beast concept is open to the public and takes place on the 25th from 7:00 until 9:00 PM.

Heebe Jeebe & The Back House Gallery are located at 46  Kentucky  Street, in Petaluma.

For  further  information, please  call   707 773 3222

Coming Soon - Thistle Meats Charcuterie and Larder - Downtown Petaluma

Thistle Meats is a new neighborhood butcher shop, set to serve the Southern Sonoma County community with ethically raised and locally sourced meats in downtown Petaluma.

"We believe that good food, especially quality meat, should be celebrated and easily available as a genuine, custom cut experience," say Molly Best and Lisa Mickley Modica, Thistle Meat proprietors, on their website. The new entrepreneurs are busy getting the shop ship-shape for a Spring 2014 opening on restaurant row (Petaluma Boulevard).

These two, local mothers share a love for their community and a passion for good quality, local food. Lucky for us, they decided that a fine quality, yet down to earth butcher’s shop would be just the ticket for discerning shoppers in this part of the world. 

A whole animal butchery, Thistle Meats will offer locally raised, aged beef, lamb, pork and select poultry from farms and ranchers that Molly and Lisa have hand selected. It will also offer a charcuterie program with a range of unique pates, salumi, terrines and other cured meats as well as local produce and eggs and prepared foods: a sandwich of the day, soups, stews, broths, marinated and seasoned meat cuts.

 

 

 

Artist Michael Loffredo's Charcoal on Rag Watercolor Paper Series - A New Show at Aqus Cafe

I took a couple of snapshots of two of the super talented artist Michael Loffredo's "Invented Time and Place" a series of 18 stunning charcoal on rag watercolor paper works, a new show for the New Year at West Petaluma's Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf. 

Michael is a highly respected professor of art at Santa Rosa Junior College and an artist who prefers to practice and teach his craft over spend too much time exhibiting or seeking fame and fortune. This makes his Aqus Cafe show all the more exclusive and a rare treat to take in as a Sonoma County art lover. 

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 31, 1956, the exact same day and year as the Sex Pistols front man, John "Rotten" Lyndon, the artist and late musician share a mutual reputation as having always been the sorts of creatives who prefered to 'do their own thing' rather than conform to convention. 

Having started drawing as a young child, Michael began his formal art training at the age of 15 at Boys Trade and Technical High School. University followed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh. Post Grad studies took the form of a Master of Arts, first at Northern Illinois University at DeKalb outside of Chicago and completed at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio.

Painting is a way of life for Michael, who has been teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College for over three decades. Relishing the opportunity to paint and draw full time, he has had an enormous influence on thousands of aspiring artists over the years. Two of his paintings are in the Santa Rosa Junior College campus library's permanent collection. 

Michael Loffredo's charcoals in his "Invented Time and Place" series are available for purchase at $450 each. Twenty percent of the sales price of each piece will be donated to the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS).  

Each of the works in this series are sized 22x30. An artists reception is in the works for early February. 

Hockney at the De Young - A Stunning Take on The Passage of Time

"BIGGER TREES NEARER WARTER, WINTER 2008"OIL ON 9 CANVASES (36 X 48" EA)108 X 144" OVERALL© DAVID HOCKNEY

Hockney fans who have yet to make it to the De Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for this most prolific of artist's mind boggling "A Bigger Exhibition" best get their skates on and hurry on in before this super-sized show packs its gigantic bags to decamp the Bay Area on January 20th (2014).

Back in June of last year, I wrote about Hockney's return to his native coastal Bridlington in Northern England after watching the excellent documentary (on the making of this current exhibition), David Hockney A Bigger Picture.  If you can't make it to the museum, I'd highly recommend you watch this terrific documentary. 

Six months later to stand in the De Young and see these majestic works for myself was a spectacular treat. 

The most impressive aspect of the exhibition, 76-year-old Hockney's first in the U.S. in six years, was the sheer volume of work produced in the past recent few years. His use of technology (video, ipad, iphone..) demonstrates an astonishing drive to create and produce on a non-stop schedule, both in the UK and upon his return to his long-time home in Southern California.

As a Brit, I find the landscapes of Hockney's return to his childhood vistas to be extraordinarily powerful. One of my favorite rooms in the gallery was one featuring multiple (30) high definition video screens, each four walls depicting a dynamic seasonal (almost) floor to ceiling portal through the passage of time. This tunnel of trees represents so much of his 'Bigger Picture', and yet Hockney's unsatiable desire to look forward propels him on to surprise us still with enormous, recent depictions of Yosemite as well as his take on the Sermon on the Mount. 

Just when you think you have an idea of what the man is about, he takes you to another realm entirely, different mediums, numerous different styles. Fluid, vivid and thoroughly uplifting and by the end of the exhibition, Hockney's admirers are most certainly wanting for more. 

Open since October, 2013, "David Hockney - A Bigger Exhibition" runs through January 20th at the De Young Museum. (415) 750-3600.www.deyoungmuseum.org.